ISP Officer Helps Save Baby’s Life

Indiana State Police Master Trooper Randy Neighbors is credited with helping to save the life of a 19-month-old child earlier this week.

Monday morning at approximately 9:30am EST, Trooper Neighbors was at home when someone began knocking on his door. When Neighbors went to the door, one of his neighbors had her 19-month-old son in her arms and he was choking. Trooper Neighbors took the child from her and performed a couple of back blows dislodging a piece of toast from the child’s throat.

After the toast was dislodged the child was still having difficulties breathing and swallowing. Neighbors called 911 and instructed the child’s mother to keep the child’s mouth clear. “Although I couldn’t see anything, it appeared that something was still lodged in the child’s throat,” said Neighbors.

An ambulance arrived and transported the child to Owensboro Medical Center. Upon arrival at the hospital, the doctors were able to to remove a small plastic cap (much like the one that covers the top of a pump spray bottle) that was lodged in his throat. The child was then transported to Kosair Children’s Hospital. The child was released Tuesday and is reported to be doing fine.

Master Trooper Neighbors is a 23 year veteran with the Indiana State Police and has worked the Spencer County area the majority of his career. “Trooper Neighbors did what he was trained to do,” said Lieutenant Don Bolen, Commander of ISP’s Jasper Post. “As law enforcement officers we know to expect the unexpected and that is why we train to always be prepared. Trooper Neighbors, even though he was not working, was prepared and did an exemplary job.”